Demographic Profile of Syrians in Italy

Abstract

The number of sea arrivals in Italy was more than 740,000 in the period 2011-2017. Syrians were, among them, only around 65 thousand. They arrived mostly between 2014 and 2016, when they preferred this "alternative" route compared to the most widely used Balkan and Eastern ones. This chapter provides a descriptive picture on the trends and demographic characteristics of Syrian immigration and presence, showing how for most of them Italy was only a "transit country" towards other European destinations: despite thousands of sea arrivals, the number of Syrian asylum seekers and residents remained very low. The increase in 2016-2017 is mostly due to arrivals through international resettlement programs and Italian humanitarian corridors. Adult men represent the majority. However, after 2014 the increase of immigrant minors and of immigrant women is evident. In 2018, half of the Syrians reside in 31 Italian municipalities, mostly in North-West and Centre.